While I personally do not consider Robert Eggers’ horror films to be my cup of tea (mainly due to his non-traditional narrative style), I cannot deny his artistic merit and accomplishments with every film he has released (including The Witch and The Lighthouse).
His most recent film, Nosferatu, a remake of F. W. Murnau’s iconic 1922 silent movie of the same name (also an adaptation of Bram Stroker’s 1897 Dracula novel), is cut from the same cloth. I emphasize this simply because of my opinion, but the critic within me is obliged to promote and share his accomplishments with others who seek new movies worth checking out.
I first discovered Murnau’s original “Symphony of Horror” through pop culture references as a child (one that comes to mind is the title character flicking the lights in the SpongeBob episode that depicts the first 24-hour shift at the Krusty Krab). Even at a young age I could appreciate the creepy factor in this silent movie, particularly the famous shot of Orlok rising from his coffin.
The appearance of Count Orlok, alone, is enough to chill you to the bone. When I learned Eggers planned to direct a new adaptation of this classic, I knew that, despite my opinions, he was the one contemporary filmmaker who should be trusted with this task.
Again, I am not a fan of Eggers’ non-traditional style of directing but can acknowledge his talent. His unusual choices for cinematography leave you scratching your head, but you are captivated and eagerly anticipate what will happen next.
It reminds me of The Green Knight, another movie I reviewed years ago. I noticed that Eggers also makes use of sound to further unsettle his audience (to great effect), as well as emphasizing silence to set the viewer on the edge of their seat.
I was also impressed by the cinematography, particularly the depiction of scenes lit by only candle or fireplace, or even just the moon. His non-traditional methods also apply to his depiction of the vampire tropes we have come to understand throughout the history of movies.
But above all, we cannot overlook the acting. Every performer delivers, especially Lily Rose-Depp (daughter of Johnny Depp) as Ellen Hutter, whose performance shall certainly be hailed as an iconic Scream Queen in the years to come.
And a special round of applause must be given to Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok, particularly his voice. After his success as Pennywise the Clown in the It movies, Skarsgård has proved he is not a one-hit-wonder, and with this performance has cemented his legacy in Hollywood and will certainly add more iconic performances to his resume for the rest of his career.
Because this is a horror movie, many readers will automatically rule out seeing it simply due to personal preferences. Make no mistake, there are plenty of horror movies whose merits go beyond the confines of the genre and are worth checking out (think of The Shining and The Silence of the Lambs).
However, I do not think I will go to great lengths to persuade somebody to subject themselves to discomfort and disgust to experience this accomplishment. I will certainly attempt to sway people into getting out of their comfort zone and give it a shot, despite knowing my efforts will be futile.
But for those of us who are fans of horror movies, it is absolutely worth the price of the ticket (or streaming subscription.)
About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin has always had a passion for movies that is beyond simply watching, but understanding the craft of cinema and and experiencing films as if they were a musical album. Kevin also has his own website devoted to movie analysis, CityOfCinema.com, and also co-hosts a podcast, Moviehouse Mystics, with Koda Uhl (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube).